The Chicago Marathon, one of the largest running events in the United States, is set to take place on Sunday, October 15, 2025. As thousands of runners prepare to tackle the 26.2-mile course, significant street closures will impact traffic throughout the city. Here’s an overview of the key street closures and start times for the event.
Chicago Marathon 2025: Start Times
The marathon will kick off in waves, starting as early as 7:20 a.m. The schedule for the races is as follows:
- Men’s professional wheelchair race: 7:20 a.m.
- Women’s professional wheelchair race: 7:21 a.m.
- Handcycle division: 7:23 a.m.
- Men’s and women’s professional start: 7:30 a.m.
- High-performance program: 7:32 a.m.
- Wave 1: 7:35 a.m.
- Wave 2: 8:00 a.m.
- Wave 3: 8:35 a.m.
Key Street Closures
Street closures will begin as early as 4 a.m. on race day, with many streets remaining closed until the evening. Noteworthy closures include:
- Grant Park closures:
- Balbo Drive (Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Drive): closed from September 25 to October 17, reopening at 3 p.m.
- Jackson Drive: closes at 10 a.m. on October 12, reopening at 6 a.m. on October 14.
- Columbus Drive (several segments): closes at 4 a.m. on October 12 and reopens at various times.
- Columbus Drive from start to Grand Avenue: closed until 10:30 a.m. on race day.
- Extensive closures will also impact streets in the Lincoln Park and Near West Side areas from 6 a.m. until noon.
Traffic Considerations
While many of the main roads will remain open, drivers should anticipate delays and detours around the course. The following highways will maintain open lanes:
- DuSable Lake Shore Drive: Open both northbound and southbound.
- Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94), Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94), Eisenhower Expressway (I-290), and Stevenson Expressway (I-55) will all remain accessible.
Competitors can collect race packets at McCormick Place from Thursday to Saturday leading up to the event. Grant Park will open for participants at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Abbott Chicago 5K Race
On Saturday, October 14, 2025, the Abbott Chicago 5K race will also take place, starting at 7:30 a.m. with closures from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Key street closures during the 5K include:
- Ida B. Wells Drive (between Columbus Drive and Michigan Ave E)
- Harrison Street (between State and Franklin Streets)
- State Street (between Harrison Streets)
Participants and spectators are encouraged to utilize public transportation to navigate the city effectively during the marathon weekend.
